Federal law allows prospective candidates to “test the waters” for a possible candidacy by traveling, conducting polls, and performing research.

This can include forming an exploratory committee to formalize the arrangement, but not always.

While in this phase, candidates are allowed to raise a “reasonable” sum to conduct such activity, a vague measure, so long as they collection donations in accordance with federal contribution requirements.

Discuss

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, now that Prof. Warren has taken the next step towards a candidacy: PLEASE, DON’T DO IT!

Prof. Warren is one of the best, and most credible, voices for progressivism this country has seen in many years, but the absolutely worst thing that could happen to her voice would be to be elected to the U.S. Senate, where she would be marginalized and, essentially, relegated to irrelevance. Don’t believe that? Look at what’s happened to one of the supposed progressives currently in the Senate, Al Franken. Not only has he become a voice in the wilderness, he’s actually been co-opted by the powers-that-be, the best example of which was his vote IN FAVOR of the lousy debt ceiling debacle.

Does Prof. Warren really want to become another Bernie Sanders? Bless his heart (which he has in the right place), for all his fervency, passion and rectitude, he’s still basically regarded as a curiosity in the Senate, much as Kucinich is in the House, as a result of which, neither of whom has much influence in his elective body.

Thanks to Obama’s abandonment of his progressive base, and his capitulation on innumerable issues, from health care reform to the wars to the recent debt ceiling “debate”, he has pretty much assured that the Republicans will re-take control of the Senate in 2012 because even if progressives vote for him as the lesser of two evils, they will not work for him with nearly the vigor they did in ’08. Then, not only would Prof. Warren be one of few progressives in the Senate, she’d also be one of the minority of Democrats there as well, and what good would that do her?

We need Prof. Warren’s voice somewhere it will actually be heard, and not drowned out. Personally, I would like to see her challenge Obama in one or more primaries, where, even if she didn’t win, she could greatly influence the dialogue, and the direction of the Democratic party, and give progressive voters someone they could actually believe in.

Think about it, Prof. Warren: how much good could you actually do, even if you were elected to the U.S. Senate, and I think you’ll see that the answer is, not much.

Prof. Warren is one of the best, and most credible, voices for progressivism this country has seen in many years, but the absolutely worst thing that could happen to her voice would be to be elected to the U.S. Senate, where she would be marginalized and, essentially, relegated to irrelevance. Don’t believe that? Look at what’s happened to one of the supposed progressives currently in the Senate, Al Franken. Not only has he become a voice in the wilderness, he’s actually been co-opted by the powers-that-be, the best example of which was his vote IN FAVOR of the lousy debt ceiling debacle.

Prof. Warren is one of the best, and most credible, voices for progressivism this country has seen in many years, but the absolutely worst thing that could happen to her voice would be to be elected to the U.S. Senate, where she would be marginalized and, essentially, relegated to irrelevance.

By this logic, we could change the name “Prof. Warren” to the name of anyone who is a strong progressive, modify the pronouns for gender if necessary, and essentially say that anybody who has the potential to be a strong progressive Senator shouldn’t run. Huh. So we should only send crappy people to the Senate since they’ll be co-opted anyway? I guess we can just keep Scott Brown there if that’s what you are looking for.

I thought the idea was to get behind people who have the same values as I do and would fight for the things I believe in. Now I’m absolutely befuddled…

There may be plenty of good reasons for Elizabeth Warren to decide ultimately against a Senate run, possibly including personal reasons unknown to us. However, the reason you cite is a not a good one. Rest assured that Professor Warren’s voice would not be “drowned out” in the United States Senate, nor would it be enhanced by a quixotic challenge of the President. Do you believe Ted Kennedy accomplished more through his failed bid for the Democratic nomination in 1980 or through his four-decade career in the Senate? Should we forget about Paul Wellstone’s leadership because he never challenged President Clinton in a primary? The progressives currently in the Senate have failed to lead, but we should not impute their failure to every promising Senate candidate.

Wow long time since I have posted so bear with me. Pros and cons voice no voice Washington corrupts all running the assumption that she has the race won.

Not so fast.

I met her in Arlington but I have followed her work for some time. As an Economist her stance on consumer protection is by far exceptional. I applaud her for it and the great job she has done as our (the Middle Class) champion in Washington DC. My one regret is she was not the first head of the department. Forgive me I am drifting. But Professor Warren is out seeing if the activists will support her. In a short answer yes they will but, this does not win the race and is miles away from her becoming a US Senator. First and foremost she is coming in late especially for an inexperienced candidate. Second she is coming into a 7 person race that could even grow depending on the Congressional shake up. Third this is not currently a race against Scott Brown it is now a race to win the Democratic Convention next June. In order to do that she needs to have the key people who can organize caucus across the state in early February and for that you need to start now because nomination papers are out to elect local Democrats to their local committees the group that holds the caucus.

For any of you that may remember a decade ago the 6 person race for governor and the almost all night convention we had to come away with 4 viable candidates and no real nominee. Shannon O’Brien ultimately came out of that Primary a wounded and cash strapped and I think exhausted winner to face a well-funded and fresh Mitt Romney and the results are also part of history. Elizabeth Warren time is short the organization for 370 communities so 500+ caucuses and a 51% majority of some 6000 delegates is the only thing you can focus on for now till June. If you win that race and are far enough ahead then you can move onto the Primary in September after that you have 7 weeks to duel with Mr. Brown.

There are only a few people who have the true experience and success organizing for a convention. It takes a huge Rolodex several thousand personal phone calls another room of staff to make sure everyone has enough people to vote for them at the Caucus some times 10-20 for each delegate that has a potential of iding roughly 31,000 democrats to help get you to the top of the convention. Also a little Luck!

Now I am really going out on a limb and I do this because I do think Elizabeth Warren can win and be a great senator. Doug Rubin is not one of those people. Doug as a message man organizing the inner workings of a campaign and a host of other mind numbing details that a campaign needs but he is not a true grass roots convention organizer. By the way neither am I so relax but their are a few who did the Deval first campaign that did Shannon O’Brien’s campaign and Deval 2 does not count because much of the organization existed. As important is the field staff that is needed to coordinate the whole process and here again key people are needed.

So please do not put the cart before the horse no one not even a great candidate can win with out the right team. there is no room in a late entry candidate or campaign for Prima donnas it is time to roll up the sleeves and win round 1 first the Caucus then round 2 the convention, Round 3 the primary and then if everything works in rounds 1-3 you can win round 4 November.

I like Elizabeth Warren having listened to her story for 2 hours on Wednesday she can be a great candidate. But what I heard worried me that she was not given the cold hard facts of what lies ahead and what it will take to give her that shot at Senator Scott Brown. I hope she is listening

Also I would stick with the Caravan vs the Pickup Family values and family survival is the theme I think that will send the Barn Coat into premature retirement.